Moving from Detroit, MI to Lee's Summit, MO
It is 768 mi between Detroit and Lee's Summit β roughly 14h 22m of driving, plus rest stops and overnight, through 4 state(s). A long-haul move crosses climate zones and usually state-income-tax lines. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data into a side-by-side comparison so the differences are easy to scan.
768 mi Β· 14h 22m by car Β· MI β IN β IL β MO
Distance & route
| Route through | MI β IN β IL β MO |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 94, I 55, I 70 |
| Major cities en route | Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Ann Arbor, South Bend |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Detroit | Lee's Summit | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 100.298 | 92.543 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 106.988 | 89.034 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 98.817 | 94.12 | 100.0 |
| Services | 94.69 | 86.642 | 100.0 |
Overall cost of living drops 7.7% moving from Detroit to Lee's Summit β meaningful on rent but closer to parity on groceries.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level Β· MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Zillow ZHVI climbs from $75,358 in Detroit to $390,166 in Lee's Summit, a 7.7% increase on the typical home value.
YoY change: Detroit -3.0%, Lee's Summit +2.1%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991β2020 normals | Detroit | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 50Β°F | 56Β°F |
| January avg low | 19Β°F | 22Β°F |
| July avg high | 84Β°F | 88Β°F |
| Annual snowfall | β | β |
| Annual precipitation | 34.9" | 38.3" |
Annual temperature rises 5.4Β°F moving to Lee's Summit per NOAA normals.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991β2020 (stations: DEARBORN #2, MI US, LEES SUMMIT MUNI AP, MO US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Detroit | Lee's Summit |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 102,583 |
| Median household income | $39,575 | $104,989 |
| Median age | 35.1 | 38.6 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10.5% | 29.5% |
| Avg household size | 2.51 | 2.6 |
Lee's Summit households earn about 7.7% more than Detroit at the median β $39,575 β $104,989 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Lee's Summit MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 133,580 | $43,640 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 105,080 | $42,090 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 95,130 | $29,920 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 94,940 | $36,640 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 77,380 | $75,790 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between Michigan and Missouri
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check Missouri's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation β state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20β30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- Lake-effect snow bands across the western Upper Peninsula can require chains on US-2.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- Tornadoes are common April through June β identify a safe room or interior space on day one.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in Missouri after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How far is Lee's Summit, MO from Detroit, MI?
The driving distance is 768 mi and the route typically takes 14h 22m via I 94 and I 55. The trip crosses 4 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does household income compare in Detroit vs Lee's Summit?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $104,989 in Lee's Summit vs $39,575 in Detroit β a 165.3% higher figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
When is the best time to move from Detroit to Lee's Summit?
Moving companies usually charge 20β30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 768 mi drive, weather on the route matters too β see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
Is Lee's Summit more expensive than Detroit?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Lee's Summit is 7.7% lower than Detroit (92.543 vs 100.298, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
How much do homes cost in Lee's Summit compared to Detroit?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $390,166 in Lee's Summit vs $75,358 in Detroit β a 417.7% higher figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
How does the job market in Lee's Summit compare to Detroit?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $48,040 in the Lee's Summit MSA vs $48,950 in the Detroit MSA, on total employment of 1,078,310 and 1,900,180 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Detroit.
City profiles: Detroit, MI Β· Lee's Summit, MO.